Positioning apparatus for X-ray source

Abstract

An apparatus for supporting an X-ray source in a space having at least one wall and used for exposing patients to X-ray radiation, the apparatus comprising: an upright support member mountable adjacent to the wall; a slidably movable carriage supported by the support member and slidable thereto for planar movement in a plane parallel to the wall; a source assembly mounted to the slidable carriage, and adapted to receive the X-ray source, the source assembly including: a horizontally projecting base member fixed to the carriage; a horizontally extending tubular member pivotally mounted to the base member for pivotal motion in a horizontal plane; a stem receivably journalled within the tubular member for horizontal reciprocation with respect thereto; and a source attachment fixed to the source and including a collar journalled around the stem to provide rotational movement in a vertical plane about the stem.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for supporting an X-ray source in a space, said space defined by a floor and at least one wall arranged substantially perpendicular to said floor, the X-ray source used for exposing patients to X-ray radiation, the apparatus comprising: an upright support member mountable adjacent to said wall;   a slidably movable carriage supported by the support member and slidable thereto for planar movement in a vertical plane substantially parallel to said wall;   a source assembly mounted to the slidable carriage, and adapted to receive the X-ray source, the source assembly including:   a horizontally projecting base member fixedly mounted to the carriage;   a horizontally extending tubular member pivotably mounted to the base member for selective and fixedly positionable rotational motion in a horizontal plane substantially parallel to said floor;   a stem receivably journalled within the tubular member for horizontal telescoping reciprocation with respect thereto; and   a source attachment fixedly attached to the X-ray source and including a collar journalled around the stem to provide rotational movement in said vertical plane about the stem.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support member is slidably carried by a wall-mounted frame for movement in a vertical direction, and the carriage is slidably mounted on the support member for movement in a horizontal direction. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein a counterweight system is attached to the support member. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tubular member is pivotably mounted to the base member at a pivot point, the tubular member being pivotable between position's where it is parallel to said wall, and a position where it is perpendicular to said wall. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the tubular member is held in the positions by a latch, the latch including a horizontally disposed latch member movable relative to the tubular member, the base member including receiving notches for receiving the latch member and securing the tubular member in place. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein a spring biases the latch member into engagement with the receiving notches. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a set of blocks are disposed within the tubular member, the blocks including central openings for receiving the stem, a first of said blocks being fixed to the stem and slidable within the tubular member upon movement of the stem, a second of said blocks being stationary within the tubular member and providing a positive stop to motion of the stem. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stem includes longitudinally spaced detents, and the tubular member includes a manually actuable handle for engaging the detents and preventing motion of the stem. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the tubular member also includes an electrically actuated solenoid, the solenoid including a spindle engageable with the detents in the stem, a spring biasing the spindle into engagement with the detents, actuation of the solenoid withdrawing the spindle from the detents. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stem includes angularly spaced detents, and the source attachment includes a manually actuable handle for engaging the detents and preventing rotation of the source attachment. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the source attachment also includes an electrically actuable solenoid, the solenoid including a spindle engageable with the detents in stem to prevent rotation of the source attachment, a spring biasing the spindle into engagement with the detents, actuation of the solenoid withdrawing the spindle from the detents. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a magnetic clutch is disposed between the stem and the source attachment, the magnetic clutch comprising a circular plate fixed to the stem, and at least one magnet fixed the source attachment and engageable with a face of the circular plate, the magnetic clutch preventing unrestrained rotation of the source attachment on the stem. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tubular member is square in cross-section. 
     
     
       14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the stem is circular in cross-section.